The 2015 season will be our 19th in certified organic vegetable production at Featherstone Farm, and I can honestly say I have never felt more optimistic about the farm and its future. Yes, some of this has to do with the fact that we have had our first “normal” spring since 2011 (no drought in sight, no “lost month” of April due to non stop rains…). And some of it has to do with the fact that the farm seems finally to have found its “right size” after years and years of growth and flux and retrenchment; no new projects or additions are in the plans for a change. But most of all my optimism is rooted in the extraordinary team of people that we now have working at the farm. Some of you may be aware that we have hired a new business manager and a new field production manager in the past 4 months. I will write more to introduce these two- Todd Bram and Dan Fillius- in future newsletters, but for now suffice it to say that we are all very, very fortunate to have these new leaders with us at Featherstone Farm. But for all the excitement and energy that new faces bring with them each spring, I can honestly say that the big boost that I feel this spring - the real source of the optimism and confidence that I feel about the coming season- is the team of 2, 3 and 4+ year veteran employees at the farm. From the machine shop to the warehouse, from the horticulture team to the harvest crews, in the office and in the delivery trucks, I have never seen such a large group of people step up and take responsibility at Featherstone Farm as I have seen this past winter and spring. Together, this “core group” of a dozen key employees has been an inspiration. I cannot say enough about how their enthusiasm and passion has buoyed me through the “dark days” of winter and early spring. Thanks so much to this great crew!! I will take the time this spring to introduce more of these wonderful folks in my writing. But there’s something to the idea that “seeing is believing.” CSA members: if you would like to see with your own eyes what many hands can achieve in a few short weeks of spring fieldwork- if you would like to meet and get to know the folks who are growing your produce this season- I encourage you to join us for our annual Strawberry Social on Saturday June 20th.